U10’s Team

Sam Ward ©

William

Harry W

Finlay

Max

Ollie

Ethan

Brodie

Daniel

Thomas

Louis

Results:

Drawn in Pool E for 12 minute matches against Crowborough, Dartfordians, Heathfield and Westcombe Park the Edenbridge U10’s enjoyed a morning that saw them unbeaten against some very healthy competition.

Edenbridge 3 v Crowborough 3

Westcombe Park 2 v Edenbridge 5

Edenbridge 5 v Heathfield 1

Dartfordians 1 v Edenbridge 3

Report:

A glorious blue sky and breath taking view across the Kent countryside welcomed the Edenbridge U10’s to the Tunbridge Wells RFC. The team had some real success during the morning’s play just as the traffic wardens did in the streets surrounding the club.

First up was Crowborough and it was clear that the wide pitch, ambiguous line markings and low autumn sun were taking a bit of getting used to as C’borough ran in 2 first half tries making use of their abundant pace with Edenbridge having no reply. The second half was a very different affair as Edenbridge began to find their tackles and their pace, possibly aided by the downhill advantage, they started to make much better use of the ball in possession and use the full width of the pitch. The tries soon came with Brodie, Harry and Louis all finding gaps and capitalising. Edenbridge were unlucky not to steal the win in the dying moments of the game with a spectacular late break by Louis, denied only by a similarly spectacular try saving tackle by one of C’borough’s stand out players. The 3-3 draw a fair result in the end and Edenbridge were now switched on and ready to go.

After a short break, next up was W’combe Park. Edenbridge took an early lead with 2 tries in quick succession from William and Brodie, the opposition pulled one back to keep the game tight. The tackling and rucking were strong from both teams but none more so than Captain Sam leading the defensive line but a turnover ball meant Harry found space to move at pace with the ball he powered through three tackles to take the ball over the line. Now in the ascendency Edenbridge turned over the ball twice in the break down to allow William and Brodie to both score again to extend the lead. A hearty performance from W’combe Park who played with good spirit and clearly a sense of humour as they gave 3 cheers for Edinburgh after the final whistle. A good 5-2 win for Edenbridge (Edinburgh) to take confidence into a break in our playing schedule and a chance to refuel.

With the festival now running an hour behind schedule (don’t they always?) Edenbridge and the traffic wardens were starting to take full advantage of their position.

Now rested, Edenbridge finished with back to back games without a break, spirits were high and everyone was keen to get game time.

Game 3 was Heathfield, a team we’ve met before many times and who have earned healthy respect for their tenacious tacklers and pace. Edenbridge started strong with 3 early tries from Max and a brace from Harry whose confidence was shining through when he ran with the ball. A third try from Harry for his hat-trick was a well-deserved reward for super performance in both defence and attack. Another try from Max was well taken despite a high tackle from the opposition on the try line. It could have been six but Brodie’s try was disallowed.

Straight into game 4 and D’fordian’s presented a significant challenge to the so far unbeaten run of games for Edenbridge. Louis opened the scoring with what would be the only try of the first half in what was showing to be a very tight match. In the second half now going uphill Edenbridge were put under pressure and defending hard in their own half. Dartfordians finally broke through the defensive line and pounded for the try line stopped by Daniel just inches from the line, fantastic support play led to a turnover ball, fast hands moved the ball wide and into the hands of Thomas who doesn’t lose many sprint races as he took the ball the full length of the pitch for the try. D’fordians continued to press and pulled it back to 2-1 showing great spirit but a final try for Harry as he pulled four of the opposition over the line with him for the final try and final act of the game.

Great discipline, great team spirit and some great results, all in all a super morning at TWRFC.

JC